The institute served to compensate for the lack of educated people in the field of engineering in Estonia. In 1918, the educational institution was founded with the name Estonian Engineering Society. The Tallinn Technical College grew out of the special technical course offered. Two years after its foundation the institution was nationalised and in the late 1930s it was given the status of a higher education institution and the name Tallinn University of Technology (Tallinna Tehnikaülikool, TTÜ in Estonian).
It offers the teachings of mechanical, electrical, civil and hydraulic engineering, shipbuilding and architecture. To date, it has established itself as the only Estonian university with a technical focus.

Graduates: Salme Liiver, Erika Nõva, Leila Pärtelpoeg

Estonian Academy of Arts (ERKI) / Eesti Kunstiakadeemia (EKA) + National Art Institute of the Estonian SSR

Estonia’s only public art school with all departments of art and architecture was opened in 1914. At that time, the country’s art society established the Tallinn Industrial Art School. In connection with the Soviet nationalisation of the institute, the possibility of receiving training in architecture and interior design at the art academy was added to the artistic subjects. Since 1989, the educational system of the institute, which was renamed from Tallinn Art University to the Estonian Academy of Arts (EKA), has been reformed.

Graduates: Malle Agabush, Lilian Hansar, Juta Lember, Marika Lõoke, Maarja Nummert, Meeli Truu, Leila Pärtelpoeg, Valve Pormeister, Irina Raud, Mai Shein

Employees: Malle Agabush, Lilian Hansar, Juta Lember, Leila Pärtelpoeg, Valve Pormeister, Irina Raud

(AS) Eesti Project

The National Design Institute was founded in 1944, when the Institute for Building Design was moved from Moscow to Tallinn. The company projected important public buildings in Estonia and developed general plans for cities. The technical equipment of the buildings was also taken over by the construction company.

Employees: Juta Lember, Irina Raud

EKE Project

The Estonian Institute of Design EKE project was an institute of design headquartered in Tallinn from 1966 to 1992, during the Soviet regime. It was associated with the republican grouping of Estonian Kolhoosiehitus (EKE), which constructed buildings for various purposes on behalf of Estonian kolkhozes and sovkhozes, as well as other agricultural enterprises. The Design Institute of Soviet Estonia dealt with architecture and urban and spatial planning according to principles against Soviet norms. The team consisted of younger architects who are also responsible for contemporary architecture in the current Estonia.
(Counterpoint to the Eesti Maaehitus project)

Employees: Marika Lõoke, Meeli Truu

Coop Eesti/ ETK Project (1961-1992): Tallinn Branch of the design institute Tsentrosojuzproekt

The foundation was laid by the first consumer cooperative in 1902, which consisted of a few farmers from Antsla. Soviet rule decided to merge existing cooperatives and several branches were established, which could be combined into one institution.

The design company was founded in 1956 and has its headquarters in Tallinn. After being called the Estonian Branch of the Design Workshop of the Central Union of Consumer Cooperatives (Tsentrosojuz) from its foundation until 1961, it was renamed the Tallinn Branch of Tsentrosojuzprojekt. In the period until 1992 to 1994, it was given the name ETK Project. The ETK Project team designed public buildings for the city of Tallinn.

Employees: Malle Agabush, Salme Liiver, Mai Shein

Eesti Maaehitusprojekt/ Estonian Civil Engineering Office / Eesti Põllumajandusprojekt

A Soviet-era state institution for spatial planning and development founded in 1951. It was merged with the RPI “Sovhoosiprojekt” in 1958 and the institute was renamed the National Design Institute of the USSR Ministry of Agriculture. Until 1992 it was called the National Design Institute “Eesti Põllumajandusprojekt”. The Estonian Rural Construction Projects was responsible for the design of new rural settlements, mainly for agricultural purposes. The institution is associated with the economic reforms of the Soviet regime. Mostly experienced architects were employed. (Counterpart to the EKE Project)

Employees: Erika Nõva, Maarja Nummert, Valve Pormeister

Nordprojekt

The Design Institute is responsible for activities in the fields of main planning and project management, architecture and constructions, as well as heavy current installations, and has existed since around 1990, after Estonia regained its independence. Public buildings in Tallinn have been designed and built by the company’s team, such as the Rocca al Mare shopping centre by Meeli Truu.

Employees: Meeli Truu

Furniture production company Standard

The furniture industry institution with its headquarters in Tallinn was founded during the time of the Estonian SSR. Based on a seven-member association in 1944, the furniture company “Standard” developed in 1960. The company consisted of six factories during the Soviet period and specialised in furniture of hotels, offices and other premises of public buildings. The design office, established in 1957, designed furniture patterns not only for Estonian clients, but also throughout the Soviet Union. After Estonia regained its independence, the company became a joint-stock company.
Website: https://www.standard.ee

Employees: Malle Agabush, Juta Lember

Production company Kooperaator